GAGE, Robert (1841-1925), an architect active in Kingston, Ontario from 1870 to 1885. Born in Coleraine, County Derry, Ireland on 6 August 1841, he attended primary school there. The Gage family emigrated to Canada in 1852 and settled briefly in Schenectady in upstate New York. The following year, in 1853, they moved to Kingston, Ontario. It is unclear if Robert Gage received any formal education or training in architecture, or whether he was entirely self-taught. He likely worked in the building trades, but he may have served an apprenticeship under a leading Kingston architect such as John Power, or perhaps with Henry Horsey. He began to advertise his services as an architect in Kingston on 1 December 1870.
Between 1871 and 1885, the name of Robert Gage can be linked to the design of more than 60 residential, commercial, institutional and ecclesiastical projects in the Kingston region. He was a competent, though not a particularly adventurous, architect and designer who often relied on architectural pattern books for inspiration. He favoured the fashionable Second Empire or Italianate styles for his residential commissions. His largest and most important project executed during his career in Canada was the Education Block (1877), on the grounds of Royal Military College, Kingston. Facing the outdoor Parade Ground, this landmark is the centerpiece of the entire college complex, and still stands today (as of 2022). However, the authorship of the actual drawings (and, by extension, the entire design) for this building remains in doubt, as the Dept. of Public Works Annual Reports from 1878 state that the “…drawings and specifications were prepared by this Department” (i.e. by Thomas S. Scott, Chief Architect and his team in Ottawa), and that Gage was here referred to as “the architect in charge”, relegating him to the role of day-to-day site supervisor and overseer. In 1879 Gage exhibited his competition drawings for the new Queen's College in Kingston, and his designs for two separate schemes were credited to Samuel G. Curry, a young draftsman employed by Gage (Daily British Whig [Toronto], 30 Jan. 1879, 2, descrip.). Curry later moved to Toronto to launch his own successful career as an architect.
In 1886, after fifteen years of practise in Kingston, Gage decided to move away, leaving his architectural practise in the hands of his successors Gillen & Gillen, both of whom had worked for Gage, and may have trained under him. Gage moved to California where he joined his younger brother Matthew Gage (1844-1916) and assisted him with the planning and development of the town of Riverside, Calif. and the elaborate irrigation system called the Gage Canal. A lengthy interview with Gage about his California career was published in the Daily British Whig [Kingston], 4 November 1893, 1, col. 7. It is unclear if Robert Gage continued to pursue his career as an architect in California, since no references to his commissions there have been found. He returned to upstate New York in 1898 and settled in Utica, but by this time he appears to have entirely abandoned his career as an architect. He began to work as a wholesale distributor of oranges from the Hawarden Citrus Assoc. of Riverside, and this proved to be an immediate financial success for him, and he remained active in that industry until after 1910.
Gage died at Utica, N.Y. on 3 November 1925 (obit. Utica Daily Press, 4 Nov. 1925, page 17; Utica Observer Dispatch, 4 Nov. 1925, page 25; inf. from [the late] Margaret Angus, Kingston]; inf. from Dr. Jennifer McKendry, Kingston.). A detailed biography and illustrated essay on the work of Gage entitled “ Into The Spotlight: The Architectural Practice of Robert Gage, Kingston and California” and prepared by Jennifer McKendry was published in the journal Ontario History [Toronto], xcvii, No. 1, Spring 2005. 28-47, illus.. A collection of American architectural books and journals which were owned by Robert Gage, together with a small collection of original architectural drawings by him, are now held at Queen’s University Archives in Kingston (biog. and port. Jennifer McKendry, Architects Working in the Kingston Region 1820-1920, 2019, 45-51, illus.)
ROBERT GAGE (Residential works in Kingston unless noted)
LILY'S LANE [at the rear of 128-30 Bagot Street], brick stables for John McKelvy and Samuel Birch, 1871 (J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 82, illus. & descrip.)
WELLINGTON STREET, residence and office for Dr. L. Clement, 1871 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 6 May 1871, 2, t.c.)
ORDNANCE STREET, for T.L. Backus, 1872 (Daily News [Kingston], 13 April 1872, 2, t.c.)
WILLIAM STREET, conversion of St. Andrew's Hall into two dwellings for William McKee, 1872 (Daily News [Kingston], 11 May 1872, 2, t.c.)
SYDENHAM STREET, near Earl Street, addition and alterations for John C. Carruthers, 1873 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 26 July 1873, 2, t.c.)
QUEEN STREET, between Wellington Street & Bagot Street, three houses for John Carruthers, 1874 (Daily News [Kingston] 21 May 1874, 1, descrip.)
UNION STREET, near University Street, two houses for Adam Main, 1874 (Daily News [Kingston], 21 May 1874, 1)
RIDEAU STREET, two houses for Jacob Bajus, 1874 (Daily News [Kingston], 21 May 1874, 1)
JOHNSON STREET, near Barrie Street, pair of houses for Robert and Anthony Crawford, 1875 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 22 Feb. 1875, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, v, 1980, 119-20, illus.)
COLBORNE STREET, a cottage for an unidentified owner, 1876 (Daily News [Kingston], 20 April 1876, 2, t.c.)
KING STREET WEST, a terrace of houses for an unidentified owner, 1876 (Daily News [Kingston], 19 May 1876, 2, t.c.)
BROCK STREET, near Montreal Street, two houses for Charles Livingston, 1876 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 18 July 1876, 2, t.c.)
WEST STREET, near King Street West, for Judge Cornelius V. Price, 1876-77 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 10 Oct. 1876, 2, t.c.; 16 Feb. 1877, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, v, 1980, 270-1, illus.)
ONTARIO STREET, near William Street, store and dwelling for Edward Saunders, 1877 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 7 March 1877, 2, t.c.)
ADOLPHUSTOWN, ONT., a mansion for David W. Allison, 1877 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 9 May 1877, 2, t.c.; J. McKendry, Town and Country Houses, 1993, 20-1, illus.)
MONTREAL STREET, at North Street, for Richard Boyd, 1877 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 8 Sept. 1877, 2, t.c.)
QUEEN STREET (?), row of three houses for Alfred Martin, 1877-78 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 7 Dec. 1877, 3, t.c.)
BROCK STREET, at Montreal Street, for Dr. Thomas R. Dupuis, 1878 (Daily News [Kingston], 18 Jan. 1878, 3, t.c.)
(attributed) MACK STREET, at Alfred Street, residence for William Irving, 1879; demol. 2012 (inf. Jennifer McKendry, Kingston)
(attributed) MACK STREET near Alfred Street, residence for the architect, 1879; demol. 2012 (inf. Jennifer McKendry, Kingston)
KING STREET, row of six houses for C.F. Gildersleeve, 1879 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 3 Jan. 1879, 2, t.c.)
BROCK STREET, near Sydenham Street, for Charles Livingston, 1879 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 12 April 1879, 2, t.c.)
QUEEN STREET, residence for John Tweddell, 1880 (Daily News [Kingston], 12 Feb. 1880, 3, t.c.)
DIVISION STREET, near Raglan Street, pair of houses for Robert Forsyth, 1884 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 1 Nov. 1884, 2, t.c.)
ROBERT GAGE (other works in Kingston unless noted)
ADOLPHUSTOWN, ONT., cemetery mausoleum for David W. Allison of Cleveland, Ohio, 1873; still standing in 2022 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 15 Feb. 1873, 2, t.c.; 21 Feb. 1873, 3, descrip.; J. McKendry, Town and Country Houses, 1993, 22-3, illus.; dwgs. at Queen's Univ. Archives, Gage Coll.)
BAGOT STREET (?), three buildings for Robert McCammon, 1873 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 21 Feb. 1873, 2, t.c.)
QUEEN STREET, wharf for Fenwick, Hendry & Co., 1874 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 20 Feb. 1874, 2, t.c.)
KINGSTON SKATING RINK, Queen Street at Ontario Street, for Charles F. Gildersleeve, 1874 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 24 April 1874, 2, t.c.)
PRINCESS STREET, retail store for Robert White 'near Yarker's Hardware Co.', 1874 (Daily News [Kingston], 21 May 1874, 1, descrip.)
GAGE'S JEWELRY & WATCH STORE, Princess Street, between Wellington Street at Bagot Street, a new facade and interior alterations to the existing Marble Block, for Matthew Gage, with offices for Robert Gage Architect on the 2nd Floor, 1875 (Daily News [Kingston], 20 Nov. 1875, 2, advert.; and 22 Nov. 1875, 2, descrip.; inf. Jennifer McKendry, Kingston)
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE, Barriefield, a new fence enclosing the Military Grounds, 1875; and a Commandant's Residence, 1875 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 6 Feb. 1875, 2, t.c.; 6 July 1875, 2, t.c.)
CLARENCE STREET, building for Charles F. Gildersleeve, 1875; additions 1877 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 23 June 1875, 2; 29 Sept. 1877, 2, t.c.)
KING STREET EAST, at Market Square, store for H. & W.J. Crothers, 1876 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 10 Feb. 1876, 2, t.c.)
KINGSTON COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, Clergy Street East near Barrie Street, major addition and alterations to the Collegiate Institute, 1876 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 5 April 1876, 2, t.c.; Daily News [Kingston], 27 June 1876, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, v, 1980, 20-1, illus.)
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE, The Educational Block, facing The Parade Ground, 1877-78, and now called The Mackenzie Block; still standing in 2022 (Canadian Illustrated News, xv, 9 June 1877, 360-1, illus. & descrip.; Canada, Sessional Papers, No. 6, 1877, Appendix 17, 80-1; Daily British Whig [Kingston], 21 Feb. 1878, 3, descrip.)
TETE DU PONT BARRACKS, new stables, 1877 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 11 July 1877, 2, t.c.)
BETHEL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Johnson Street near Barrie Street, 1878; still standing in 2022 (Daily News [Kingston], 12 March 1878, 2, t.c.; 11 Nov. 1878, 2, descrip.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 40, illus. & descrip.)
CHALMERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, a new Manse for the church, Earl Street, 1878 (Daily News [Kingston], 6 April 1878, 3, t.c.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 41-42, illus. & descrip.)
CITY HOTEL, Princess Street, addition, 1880 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 26 Feb. 1880, 2, t.c.)
MONTREAL STREET, at Bay Street, northwest corner, store and two dwellings for William Strainge, 1880; still standing in 2022 (Daily News [Kingston], 29 May 1880, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, vi, 1985, 158-9, illus.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 55, illus. & descrip.)
SYDENHAM STREET METHODIST CHURCH, a new Parsonage for the church, 1881 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 9 April 1881, 2, t.c.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 41-42, illus. & descrip.)
BAPTIST CHURCH, Johnson Street, 1881; still standing in 2022 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 1 Sept. 1881, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, v, 1980, 75-7, illus.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 46-47, illus. & descrip.)
KINGSTON COTTON MANUFACTURING CO., foot of Cataraqui Street, addition, 1882 (Daily News [Kingston], 8 July 1882, 2, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural & Historic Significance, vi, 1985, 65-7, illus.; J. McKendry, Bricks in 19th Century Architecture of the Kingston Area, 2017, 58-59, illus. & descrip.)
AMHERST ISLAND, ONT., St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Stella 40 Foot Road, near Concession Road 3, 1883; still standing in 2022 (dwgs. Queen's University Archives, Kingston, Gage Coll.)
JOHN HENDERSON & CO., Princess Street near Wellington Street, store, 1885 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 21 Feb. 1885, 2, t.c.; 28 Feb. 1885, 1, descrip.)
CHARLES LIVINGSTON & CO., Brock Street, 'just west of McKelvey & Birches store', two retail stores, 1885 (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 28 Feb. 1885, 1, descrip.)
TORONTO, ONT., store and residence for Dr. Hugh Spears, Chemist & Druggist, Kingston Road, and later renamed Queen Street East, near Saulter Street, c. 1885 (dwgs. at OA, Acc. 23042)
COMPETITIONS
KINGSTON, ONT., Queen's College [now called Queen's University], 1879. Gage was one of several architects who submitted plans in this important competition. He prepared two separate designs, both of which were drawn up by his young assistant Samuel G. Curry (Daily British Whig [Kingston], 30 Jan. 1879, 2, descrip.). However, both sets of plans were passed over by the jury who awarded the commission to Gordon & Helliwell of Toronto. Gage was later appointed as the local Supervising Architect to oversee the construction of the winning design by Gordon & Helliwell. His name was inscribed as “Robert Gage - Supervising Architect “ on a spirit level tool used by Princess Louise when she laid the cornerstone for the building in 1879. This leveling tool is now in the collection of the Queen“s University Archives (Kingston Daily Standard, 7 Sept. 1926, 14).